The concept of this vignette, originally, was a challenge I was given. The
details are unimportant now, but I was (among other things) to borrow
dialogue and two scenarios from the novel "Imzadi" and play with
them. This story was slightly altered after the first draft in order to
clarify one of the scenes.

-------------------------------------------------------------
"The Way Old Friends Do.."
A messy vignette by:
QDestinyy@aol.com


"Dea, Dea, my pretty little Dea." A soft, musical voice sang out. A
decades old child-like tune carried up through the tangle of branches until
it reached a woman's ears. The woman's eyes flew open and she leapt to
her feet, easily hopping from her position and landing with a sound of delight.

:::Chan!::: She flew across the short expanse between the tree she'd been
laying in and the doorway to holodeck four. When she got there, she caught
a youthful blonde into her arms and hugged her with emphasis. :::You came!:::

:::How could I not come?::: Chandra tipped her head and grinned at her
friend. :::You're as good as my sister, Deanna Troi, of course I'd come!:::

:::I remember that song.::: Deanna smiled brightly. :::You started
singing it to me when we were five and I wouldn't let you find me during
hide and seek!:::

Chandra wrinkled her nose affectionately. :::As I recall, it was a
combination of something your mother used to say and one of those funny
songs they played at my fourth birthday. The one that had us all trying to
mimic the musician for days afterward?:::

:::I remember!:::

:::I knew you would,::: Chandra sighed. :::Those are good memories,
aren't they? Simple, simple cares.:::

Deanna watched her friend. :::Something's wrong..::: She held the other
woman's shoulders at arms length. :::What's happened?:::

:::Nothing.::: Chandra shook her head and Deanna threw her a knowing
look. :::Really.::: Her voice grew quiet. :::I just -- I miss
Teb. That's all. Talking about those days. He used to chase us both
around my parent's estate, he always stuck that pink goop in my
hair..::: Her blonde curls tumbled over her features when she hung her
head. :::Deanna..::: She lifted her gaze. :::I've loved him ever since
I can remember, and I know it's been three years but.. it's just harder
this time of year. Four days from now would have been our--::: Ready
teardrops collected in her eyes. :::I'm sorry..::: She sniffed, swatting
at the moisture on her face. :::I promised myself I wouldn't do this to
you, I've been here less than five minutes and already I'm--:::

:::Oh, Chan..::: Deanna gathered her childhood friend into her arms and
held her close. :::Don't ever apologize for feeling something deeply. Teb
loved you very much. I remember him fussing over the *flowers* at your
wedding. Imagine Teb, concerning himself with *flowers*?::: She smiled
gently. :::But for you, they had to be just perfect. Because you loved
them. And he loved you.::: She whispered. :::And there's nothing in life
which shows us how to move on without the pain when we lose someone we
love..:::

The other woman continued to cry.

"I wish I could have been there." Deanna sighed. "I heard about it, and
all those days had already gone by--"

"It's okay." Chandra lifted her head and switched to speaking aloud. There
was a genuine smile on her face despite its moist state. "I understood.
Besides, I wasn't really in the mood for company afterwards. According to
my mother, I didn't come out of my old room for almost a month. All I
remember is sitting there, hugging that silly stuffed orca he gave me when
we were ten. I think I worried that old thing more in those two weeks than
I did throughout our entire childhood." She laughed ruefully.

Deanna felt her own eyes burn at the memory of Teb having ceremoniously
presented a very young Chandra with the large fuzzy toy. He had been so
proud of having picked it out for her, and when her eyes lit up at seeing
it, his eleven year old face seemed to glow with a light all its own. As
Deanna recalled, she herself had merely rolled her eyes and laughed at the
time. But not Teb. Ever serious Teb.

:::Now look what I've done?::: Chandra pulled away from her friend's
embrace. :::In a minute I'll have you crying as well.::: She drew in a deep
breath, wiping the last of the wetness from her eyes. :::Lets go for a
walk. Lets talk about *good* things. Things that won't make us
cry. That's why I came here, after all, isn't it?::: Her gaze illuminated
slightly.

But Deanna shook her head. :::Crying is good for the soul sometimes. And
you know what?::: She linked her arm with Chandra's. :::I think I'd like
to remember our childhood a little. We so rarely get to see one another,
and I cherish every moment of our past together, yours, mine, Teb's... lets
remember him that way. The way his eyes lit up every time he caught you in
the park. Even when he put that awful sticky pink goop in your
hair.::: She smiled nostalgically.

Chandra merely regarded her for a moment, her eyes serious. And then she
smiled too. :::I suppose. I'd almost forgotten how good a Counselor
you'd become, as well.:::

Deanna turned. :::Not a counselor today.::: She corrected. :::Just a
friend. Just two old friends in the park. With a few wonderful
memories.::: And the two of them walked, arm in arm, through the lush,
floral landscape of their youth.

They'd been talking for an undetermined time; shared a shivering handful of
memories, done a great deal of laughing and even allowed for a teardrop --
here or there -- when Chandra suddenly took her friend's hands in her own
and turned to face her.

"Deanna, I really don't know how I live from day to day without you
around." Her smile brightened. "But I do feel so much better now, and I
think -- perhaps we can rejoin the present?" She shrugged coyly. "Talk a
little bit about the reason you invited me here?"

Deanna shook her head and half laughed. "Are you sure?"

Chandra met her appraising glance. "Completely."

"Okay," Troi's smile became almost shy.

:::It's Will, isn't it?::: Chandra lead them both to a nearby bench and
sat down, pulling Deanna into a spot next to hers.

Deanna nodded, her eyes bright.

"Well..?" Chandra sat forward. :::Are you going to tell me, or do I have
to snoop?::: She giggled.

Deanna swatted her arm and threw her a playfully indignant glare. :::You
couldn't get in when we were ten, what makes you think you can get in now?:::

:::Oh, I forgot.::: Chandra mimed a look of thoughtful
frustration. :::You're a Troi.::: She was rewarded with the musical
laughter of her friend.

"He asked me to marry him." Deanna cleared her throat, trailing off quietly.

"He?" Chandra's mouth fell open. "Asked..?" Her eyes grew
wide. "Deanna! That's...!" Her voice promptly quit and she shook her
head in confusion. "Wait a second, hold on, one emotion at a time. You're
happy, very happy... but you're angry? You don't want to marry him? Why not?"

Deanna pressed down on the seat beneath her and stood, her hands clenched
at her sides. "It's not that I don't *want* to."

"That's not what you were just thinking at me."

"I know." Deanna hung her head and began pacing. "I guess I-- I'm a
little off balance. Part of me thinks this could be another monumental
mistake, that I'd be taking a huge risk, trusting him again--"

"But the other part still makes your skin tingle, I bet?" Chandra smirked
fondly.

Deanna bit her lip and half laughed.

"Do you remember the painting?" Chandra stood and turned towards her friend.

"Of course." Troi looked up. "I miss it, sometimes. I've tried to call
it up on the holodeck a few times, but it's just not the same."

Chandra nodded emphatically. "Yes. That was going to be my point. The
thing about that painting was that there was always something
different. Every time we looked at it, we saw something new. As though it
were alive.."

Deanna sighed. "I suppose so."

"For a month after Riker left the planet, you didn't go to the museum at
all.." Chandra went on. "We'd been staring at that painting once a week
for ten years, but all of a sudden you weren't interested. And I couldn't
figure it out, at first... I thought it might have been because of the
trauma of the kidnapping. But then I realized that wasn't it.."

Troi shrugged noncommittally.

"And you call yourself a galaxy renowned psychologist…" Chandra giggled.

"I do no such thing!" Troi couldn't help but grin.

"You and I were searching for something, Deanna. In the painting. True,
we were each searching for something different, but we did get a little bit
more of an answer, every time. That’s what kept us coming back." Her gaze
locked with Troi's. "You've always been such a spiritual person, Dea,
there were times even I didn't follow what you were feeling. You and Teb
were a lot alike in that respect. Maybe that's why I always loved you both
so much, in different ways. You were forever searching for something that
was missing in your soul. Something intangible. Something Will managed to
fill, no matter how you felt about it, no matter where your logic took you
afterward. That was the part of him that made your skin tingle.." She smiled.

Troi felt the insertion of color as it rose into her cheeks. "But a month
later, I did go back..." She added.

"You did. But it was never the same, was it?"

Deanna's gaze grew contemplative. "No," she whispered. "I was standing
there the day I decided to join Starfleet. I remember watching the
painting and thinking there had to be something *else*." She added
softly. "Mother was so angry.."

"She was. But you went anyway." Chandra lifted her shoulders. "And have
you ever regretted that decision?"

Troi shook her head slowly.

"Do you not think any part of that decision had to do with Will?"

"I know it did." Deanna shrugged. "Chan, that's not the point. Will left
me standing there, alone, on Risa. I loved him so much, and he never
showed up. I wasn't some weak willed school girl, either. I knew what I
wanted, and who I wanted to share it with. And I can quite honestly tell
you that I've never felt so much hurt in all my life." She swallowed. "It
felt like, I was dying, inside."

Chandra took her friend's hand and sighed softly. "Oh, Dea. I know. But
don't you think, after all these years, it might be possible that things
have changed? That Will could have changed."

"He *has* changed." Troi glanced up sharply. "He's grown and matured, we
both have. I know that. And he's become a wonderful friend to me, over
the years. Which is why," She tucked a lock of hair behind her
ear. "when we decided to renew our relationship, it was so easy to fall in
love with him again. I just -- I'm scared. I'm scared of what I've
allowed myself to feel all over again and of whether or not we can make it
work this time. We've had every opportunity over the past two decades, and
yet we've always kept things simple. Perhaps there was a good reason for
that.."

"And perhaps you were both afraid." Chandra's challenge cut Deanna
off. "Perhaps it's time for you to stare at the painting again, Dea. I
think if you did, you might see something completely new." She smiled at
her friend. "Take it from someone who knows. Imzadi is forever. It means
everything. Embrace it, Deanna. Let it consume you -- both of you, for as
long as you're granted time together. Once it's gone--" She trailed off
with a shiver, drawing her hands around herself.

Deanna came forward and wrapped her arms around the other woman. "I'm
sorry, Chan..."

"Don't be sorry.." Chandra wrinkled her nose affectionately. "Be with
Will. Gods know I was as angry with him as anyone else when we heard what
happened all those years ago, but I also know better than anyone else how
much you felt for him. It's obvious to me that you still feel those
things for him, and Dea ... I only want you to be happy. It's all I've
ever wanted for the only sister I've ever known.."

Troi's eyes filled and she swallowed, allowing herself to draw strength
from her friend's embrace. "I've missed you so much.." She finally
whispered.

:::Me too::: Chandra's voice echoed in her thoughts. And then the two of
them heard another voice, softly clearing its throat. They turned in
unison and Chandra released her friend with a brilliant smile.

"Well, well, if it isn't the cocky young Lieutenant I met on my wedding
day..!" She laughed. “How long have you been standing there? I can’t
believe you managed to sneak up on two Betazoids!”

Will Riker held his hands before him. “Only about a second or two, I swear.”

Chandra smiled and he grinned widely, advancing towards her and gathering
her into a friendly hug. "Chandra. You look as lovely as ever." He
nodded appreciatively.

"Thank you." She answered demurely, stepping backward. “You
look...” Raising her hand, she pressed it lightly against his bearded
cheek. “Hairier than I remember! It suits you, though....”

He laughed loudly and she gestured behind her towards Deanna, tossing Riker
an impish grin. “Have you met my best friend, Deanna Troi?”

His gaze diverted to Troi and Riker studied the Counselor’s
expression. Her eyes seemed darker than usual, or perhaps it was only the
play of the light. His smile faltered.

“That I have.” He answered quietly.

“Well that’s wonderful!” Chandra beamed. “You know, I’ve only just
arrived and I have scads of unpacking to do..” Winking at Will, she added
sarcastically: “You know how women are, we carry our entire *lives* with
us everywhere we go..”

“I hadn’t noticed..” He answered glibly, glancing around in
innocence. Chandra laughed lightly.

“Of course not.” She paused dramatically. “In any event, I just feel
terrible about leaving Deanna alone like this--”

“Chandra!” Deanna’s voice chimed in.

“--and since you two already seem to know one another, I was hoping you
wouldn’t mind--”

Riker cleared his throat but afforded a perplexed smile to both women
before addressing Troi directly.

“So, do I play along?” He whispered loudly. “Or does that get me into
trouble?”

Deanna sighed and shook her head. “I think this is Chan’s less than subtle
way of telling us she thinks we should talk.”

Chandra suddenly appeared extremely interested in a small imperfection on
her blouse.

“Ah.”

“I’ll be in my quarters.” Chandra smiled brightly. And then she turned,
marching towards the holodeck entry. She stopped when she reached the
threshold and spun around, arching an eyebrow.

:::He looks delicious!::::

Deanna swallowed a sound in the back of her throat as the phrase entered
her mind. She pretended to cough, instead.

“Are you all right?” Riker asked, leaning forward.

“Fine.”

He nodded strangely, turning once to witness Chandra’s exit from the
enclosure and then again so that he stood face to face with Deanna.

A silence descended upon them.

“So.” He spoke first.

“So.”

“I remember this place-- we were here one day.” He glanced up at
her. “This is the park, behind Chandra’s family estate, isn’t it? The one
with that horrible tree..” He grimaced.

“Horrible?” Deanna tipped her head.

“Well,” he grinned ruefully, “I fell out of it. That doesn’t exactly
place it way up there on my list of favorite places.”

“As I recall, I fell out of it as well...”

This time he looked at her, and she at him -- and they both began to laugh.

“That was a long time ago.” He let out a breath.

“Yes.” She nodded.

“Wow.”

“What?”

“It’s just, it’s amazing how clearly I remember that day. Like it was
yesterday..” He shook his head slowly.

She was silent for a time and then she threw him a look. “I wonder how
well you’d do if we tried it again today?”

He smirked. “Oh, I’m sure I’d ace it this time.”

“Really?”

“You bet.”

“You’re on.” Her smile curled upward and she extended her arm towards the
mass of towering branches behind her.

“Wait a second..” He laughed.

“You’re the one who called the bet, Commander. Are you going to have it
known all over the ship that you reneged on a bet?” Her eyes narrowed,
though she continued to smile.

“You’d do that? To *me*?” He gasped in mock indignation.

“In a heartbeat.” She shrugged.

“Okay..” He returned her look with one of his own. “If it’s a bet, then
lets make it count for something.”

Troi placed her hands on her hips. “Like what?”

“Like...” He paused.

She shrugged.

“A dance.” He finished.

“A dance?”

“Yup.”

“In here?”

“I’ll call up something different, but yeah. Is it a deal?” He stuck out
his hand and she regarded it skeptically. “Don’t you trust me?” He asked.

“Most of the time..” She pursed her lips.

“But not about this..?” He tipped his head.

“All right. If you win, your terms are accepted. What if you lose?”

“Moot point.” He smiled. But she crossed her arms over her chest and
shook her head. “Okay, okay, if I lose -- you decide.”

“Anything I want?” Deanna arched an eye.

“Name it.”

“If I win,” She began. “You cook me dinner -- for a month.”

He laughed. “I’d do that anyway, if you’d asked!”

“Whether or not you’re on duty at the time.” She cocked her head and threw
him a defiant glance.

“Ouch. You drive a hard bargain, Ms. Troi.”

“Take it or leave it.”

“You’re on.” He thrust out his hand. She took it this time, and shook it
firmly.

“Let’s go.” She smiled, walking with him until they reached their
target. There they stopped, starring up at the familiar branch above their
heads.

Riker sucked in a deep breath of air.

“Having second thoughts?” She cast him a sidelong glance.

“Never.”

“Good.” She smiled, lifting herself into position, her hands around the
length of bark which was to support both of their bodies. She hung there
and watched him expectantly.

“You look *exactly* the same.” Riker smirked ironically.

“Are you coming or not?”

Riker grinned and caught hold of the branch so that he was next to
her. He closed his eyes, and so did she. Only this time, he wasn’t
thinking about her body. Or her mind. Or anything about her, for that
matter. Riker cleared his thoughts and concentrated on breathing
instead. The way she’d taught him - right here on the Enterprise - as a
friend. He thought of nothing, and let the sensation of being suspended
in mid air float just above his consciousness.

They hung there.

And hung there.

And hung there.

Eyes closed, breathing slow and regular, Will wasn’t even aware of exactly
how much time had passed before he felt the beginning of his concentration
slipping. Or the slow ache in his arms which he had been ignoring until
now. The feeling slid from vague awareness to boldly unbearable tension
within a matter of seconds -- until it became plain to him that he would
have to let go in less than a moment.

With a soft grunt and a slow exhale, he allowed himself to drop from the
branch and drew his hands lightly over his arms. They didn’t feel sore at
all. Only - worked.

Deanna, for her part, remained where she’d caught hold of the branch. Her
body nearly motionless, he watched the slow rise and fall of her breast and
knew that she’d thoroughly trounced him, yet again. He smiled and shook
his head.

In a matter of instants, however, he saw her exhale slowly. A long, deep
breath of air. She curled her body upward, sitting herself on the branch
above his head in precisely the same manner she had done so many years
ago. Her eyes slid open and she regarded him thoughtfully.

With a quick shrug, he dropped his shoulders. “Slaughtered yet
again..” He sighed melodramatically and then grinned.

Pressing down beneath her, Deanna rose to her feet on the branch and tipped
her head, high above him. “Catch me if I fall?” She asked, innocently
placing one foot in front of the other.

“Planning a repeat performance?” Will threw back, watching her with interest.

She threw him a look out of the corner of her eye and then shifted forward
suddenly, as though she had tripped. Will jumped forward but she caught
her balance immediately and grinned down at him. “Gotcha.”

He laughed. “From the word go.”

Her look transformed once more and she sobered. Hopping lightly from her
perch to the grass below, she righted her posture and moved towards him
until they stood face to face.

“Looks like I owe you dinner for a month.” He met her gaze.

“Looks like.”

“Should we start tonight?” His eyes explored the features of her face.

“Maybe. But not just now.”

“Why not?” He shrugged. “No time like the present.”

“Because I still owe you a dance.” She smiled shyly.

Will shook his head. “I lost the bet, fair and square.”

“No, Will.” She reached toward him and traced the edge of his face with
her hand. “You won.”

He arched an eyebrow.

“You did it right this time. It doesn’t matter for how long. You did it
right.” She moved closer and drew her arms around him in silence.

For an undetermined time, he looked down at her, having automatically
linked his hands behind her when she moved. And then he pressed his lips
against the top of her head, burying them in the softness of her hair. He
closed his eyes. “Computer, run program Riker 0836, Earth locale. New
York City. Starlight Lounge, circa 2310.”

He called up a program he’d created a long time ago and the beautiful
Betazoid park shifted around them, melting into a dim, candle-lit ambience
where soft instrumental jazz floated over their heads.

She shifted in his arms as the scenery changed, and linked her hands behind
his neck. :::This is nice.::: She smiled. But he didn’t
respond. Instead, he continued to watch her, his eyes completely focused
on hers.

And then she gasped. And pulled away from him. Pressing her palm against
her chest, she closed her fingers around nothing and staggered backward two
steps. She lowered and then raised her head, regarding him through wide,
black eyes.

There was silence between them as she caught her breath.

“Oh Gods..” She whispered.

“I should have told you, a long time ago.”

“How did I not know..?” She turned from him, shaking her head. But he
came up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders, forcing her to
face him.

“Because I didn’t want you to know. Deanna, you were the one who taught me
how to build a shield. You should know better than anyone else how hard it
was for me to keep things like this. I knew you wanted to be friends, so I
thought that if you didn't know how I was really feeling. I mean, beyond
the obvious, I thought-- it would be easier. For both of us." He sighed
softly. "Even so, it didn’t always work. Or I lost track of it, once in a
while. I guess you probably felt those times.” He frowned thoughtfully.

She came forward slowly, lifting her hand and placing the ends of her
fingertips against his chest. “All this time, you were feeling so much--
so many things--” She slid her hand down several inches. “All for me?”

He didn’t answer.

“You said you were hiding it. How long?”

“Long enough.”

“How long, Will? How long did you intend to keep your feelings from
me?” She pressed.

He dropped his head. “A few months after we came on board the Enterprise,
I guess.”

Her voice was as much an entreat as it was incredulous. “I don’t know what
to say..”

“Sometimes, there isn’t anything to say.” He shrugged.

“Maybe not.” She conceded, walking towards him. She reached his position
and drew her arms up behind his head, pulling him towards her until their
mouths came together.

She kissed him. Allowing her body to shift forward until she'd nearly
melted against him, Deanna explored him as she had that fateful day he'd
found her in the Jungle. She let herself taste him, allowed his arms to
work their way around her body, encircling her with a warmth which radiated
in every direction.

He was hot and sultry and so filled with emotion, it nearly staggered her
where she stood. Gripping the back of his head more firmly, she heard her
own voice groan softly; felt him tip her head backward until he'd gained
access to the curve of her neck where he transferred his attention.

She whispered his name on an short exhale and shifted forward, laying the
side of her head against his chest while her fingertips played idylly with
the hair at the base of his neck.

And she danced with him.

For the music had never stopped. A fact he seemed to realize when he spun
them both around into the center of the room. He grinned at her as she
raised her gaze in surprise. And then his eyes darkened and his
expression grew frank.

"It was never the right time." He admitted, in answer to a question she
had yet to pose.

"You shouldn't have done this." She looked away sadly.

"And if I hadn't?" He tipped his head. "What then?"

"I wouldn't have-- I couldn't have--" She began..

"I know." He crushed her body against him, sucking in a deep breath of
air. "I knew what it would mean for you. For both of us. And hell, it
wasn't as though it was easy." He withdrew a few inches and regarded her
intently. "There were times when I wanted you ... all of you ... so damned
much ... and I wondered about it. What it might be like if I could show
you; show you how much." He frowned. "But you had your own dreams,
Deanna. I asked you, and you said no. And that was my answer. That was
more important."

"I loved you!" She shoved against him, pushing him away from her while
angry teardrops collected in her eyes. "Don't you think I had a right to
make that decision on my own?" Her voice broke with frustration and she
pointed at him accusingly. "You claim you know what it would have meant,
and yet you kept it from me! For all these years, you made me think that
you-- you--" Words failed her and she spun around, linking her arms
across her chest and struggling to compose herself where she stood.

"You knew I loved you.." Will shook his head, stepping towards her.

"That wasn't love! That was .. friendship. Affection." She rounded on
him, lifting her arm and pressing the palm of her hand against the center
of his chest, she pushed against him -- hard -- mirroring the action on her
own body with the other hand. "Do you feel THIS? This right now? THIS...
is love. That was nothing more than a half truth!" Her head fell. "A
broken promise."

Her tears fell freely.

"And now it's too late?"

She lifted her tear-filled gaze and their eyes locked. She stared at him
in silence.

"Do you even realize what I'm feeling right now?" She finally
whispered. "I can't win this argument--" She swallowed, refusing to look
away.

He did instead. "You don't have to." He dropped his own eyes. "I would
never take advantage of you that way. And no, I guess -- I don't know what
it was like for you. Not really. Not if I managed to hurt you this way
when it was the last thing I'd intended.." He turned the other way and
started walking.

"Gods, Will..." She whispered. "I love you."

Though his back was turned, he felt her dark eyes burn a hole in his soul.

"I can hardly breathe--" She trailed off, quietly.

He froze where he stood, but did not turn around. "So block it out. You
can do that with unwanted emotions. I've seen you do it other times before."

Her eyes narrowed and refocussed. And then she shook her head, affording
his back a half smile and a sigh. "You know... you really are a great big
idiot some times, Commander."

That made him turn. And turn with a vengence. "What the hell do you want
from me?" His calm had shattered and his voice nearly broke with the
emotion it took him to utter the sentence. "I can't take it back. And
even if I could -- I wouldn't do it. Not for you. Not for me. Not for
this *ship*. Not anymore!" He yelled, raking his fingers back through his
hair. "It's over Deanna. This is where it ends. You, me, the whole
damned *concept* of Imzadi -- it's killing me. I can't do it anymore!"

She stared at him, wide eyed. "Then don't."

"Fine." He glared back.

And then they were quiet. Both of them. Staring defiantly at one
another. Silent -- until he exhaled loudly. Once. And then
again. Until it was clear that he was actually laughing with each breath.

Her expression moved from seething to incredulous and she placed her arms
akimbo on her hips. "All right. I'll bite.."

He dropped his head with a short sigh. "I'm so mad at you right now, I
could--" He paused and then threw his hands up in defeat. "And all I can
think about is how much I wish you'd just walk over here so I could kiss
you within an inch of your life..." His arms fell back against him as his
voice trailed off.

Deanna's gaze transformed from incredulous to indignant. But then, just
as she appeared ready with a scathing rebuke, she too dropped her
head. The corners of her mouth turned upward she cleared her throat,
glancing away while she regained her composure.

"I meant what I said." He spoke first. "I can't do this anymore."

"Believe me, the feeling's mutual." Her voice was soft, but tipped with an
edge.

"I'm sick of the fighting." He added.

"Never knowing what's *really* behind your words.." She threw back.

"Waiting for some -- non existent -- day to come when things *might* be
different for us.."

"Allowing myself to be jealous over every stupid infatuation you have with
a new bit of skirt each week.."

"Trying to figure out what the hell you *want* on a daily basis.." He smirked.

Her eyebrow rose. "Second guessing the day when you'll take off for some
new star ship where you can sit in your precious Captain's chair." She
turned her back on him.

He moved towards her and placed his hand on her shoulder; forcing her
around. "So are you going to marry me, or not?" He yelled.

"Yes!" She yelled back.

They stayed that way. Eyes wide, for the span of many moments.

Will finally exhaled. "Did you say--?"

She rolled her eyes. "Shut up and kiss me, Riker."

He did.

Moments later, all the perfectly logical reasons why this was wrong,
inappropriate, completely incorrect behavior for two Starfleet officers --
all those blessed reasons flew completely out of each of their minds.

There was no intellectualizing. No deep discussion which required anything
beyond soft, whispered words, punctuated by ... the sound of Deanna's
thoughts when they tumbled gently through his head.

:::Don't think this means you're off the hook, Commander.:::: He felt her
smile against his lips. :::You still owe me dinner ... for a month..:::

Eyes locked with hers, breathing quickly, Will lowered her back against the
lounge room table, shoving a floral center piece aside with one arm. It
clattered to the floor, shattering into a million tiny fragments.

"I thought I won the bet.." He whispered into her hair.

:::Don't push your luck.::: The warm tickle of her mental laughter melted
into his.

[END]